Elon Musk’s aides granted read-only access to the Treasury’s critical systems, but no payments have been delayed, says Treasury official

In an effort to clarify concerns raised in recent weeks, the U.S. Treasury Department has confirmed that Elon Musk’s aides, linked to his DOGE initiative, have been granted “read-only” access to the critical $5 trillion U.S. payments system. This move comes amid mounting concern over the role Musk’s team is playing in the ongoing review of the Department of the Treasury’s systems.

According to a letter sent by a Treasury official to lawmakers, the access provided to Tom Krause, CEO of Cloud Software Group, and his team has not resulted in the suspension or rejection of payments. The official stressed that the review, which is focused on improving operational efficiency, has not disrupted essential services like Social Security or Medicare payments. The department’s statement aims to reassure the public that no payments have been delayed or rerouted due to the review.

The involvement of Krause, a central figure with ties to DOGE, has sparked significant concern among Treasury career officials, who were puzzled by the intense requests for access to sensitive payment system data. Krause, whose team was initially met with resistance, was granted access after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s confirmation. Krause now holds a “read-only” role at the Treasury, meaning he cannot alter any data but can only review the operational processes involved in federal payments.

This clarification comes after reports that Musk’s social media platform X had claimed to cancel certain payments, fueling speculation and uncertainty among lawmakers and former government officials. The Treasury official emphasized, however, that no payment systems had been affected and that all standard procedures for payments were being followed by career Treasury staff.

Krause’s new role as a “special government employee” is a temporary designation that allows him to work with the government for up to 130 days over the course of a year. During this period, Krause will be subject to the same security and ethical standards as other government employees, including obtaining a Top Secret security clearance.

Despite the transparency provided by the Treasury, the behind-the-scenes tension over granting access to Musk’s team remains a point of contention within the agency. David Lebryk, a career Treasury official, was placed on administrative leave after resisting the DOGE team’s demands. His departure has left unanswered questions about the extent of the access granted and the overall scope of the ongoing review.

For now, Treasury officials assure that the review, conducted in collaboration with seasoned career staff, continues without impacting the integrity of federal payment operations. As Musk’s team moves forward with its assessment, the Treasury has made clear that all processes are being conducted in line with security, privacy, and ethical standards.